Food item management system and food item management program

Abstract

Provided is a food item management device that makes food item registration less complicated and can be easily operated. A food item management device (2) for food items held in a refrigerator (4) comprises: a food item registration unit (22) for determining a food item name and a food item category on the basis of registration information of food items, determining a storage location of the food item on the basis of operation information of a user or on the basis of the food item category, determining a reference use-up period of the food item corresponding to one of the storage location or the food item category designated by the user in advance, setting a use-up limit date by adding the reference use-up period to a registration date considered to be a date and time when the food item is held in the storage location, and registering the food item name, the registration date, the use-up limit date, the storage location, and the food item category in a food item list, as well as registering the reference use-up period in the food item list as the number of remaining days up to the use-up limit date of the food item; and a food item list management unit (23) for updating the number of remaining days by subtracting the date and time of displaying the list from the use-up limit date, and displaying the food item list.

Description

Food management system and food management program

[0001] The present invention relates to a foodstuff management system and a foodstuff management program.

[0002] In recent years, advances in IT technology have made it possible to manage home appliances using mobile information terminals. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a refrigerator technology that includes function data including the types of multiple storage compartments in the refrigerator, setting data including the current set temperature for each of the multiple storage compartments and setting information for the current storage mode for each of the multiple storage compartments, and a storage period database that sets the storage period for one or more stored items for each storage environment, and outputs multiple storage compartments suitable for storing the stored items and the storage periods for the multiple storage compartments suitable for storing the stored items, and describes transmitting the storage environment (storage compartment) and storage period for the stored items to a mobile terminal and displaying them on the screen.

[0003] Patent No. 7282260

[0004] The above prior art describes setting expiration dates according to the storage location of ingredients and setting them in detail for each ingredient, which requires a huge database of ingredient types, storage compartments, and storage periods. When storing an item, it can accurately suggest to the user the storage environment suitable for that item. However, if the database does not match the user's preferences or the freshness of the items they usually purchase, this can become rather cumbersome.

[0005] In order to solve the above problem, the food ingredient management device of the present invention for food ingredients stored in a refrigerator comprises an input unit that acquires user operation information and food ingredient registration information, an ingredient name and ingredient category based on the food ingredient registration information, an ingredient storage location based on the user operation information or based on the ingredient category, an ingredient registration unit that calculates an estimated use-up period for the food ingredient corresponding to either the storage location or the ingredient category previously designated by the user, an ingredient registration unit that adds the estimated use-up period to a registration date that is considered to be the date and time the food ingredient was stored in the storage location to determine an expiration date, and registers the ingredient name, the registration date, the use-up period, the storage location, and the ingredient category in an ingredient list, and registers the estimated use-up period in the ingredient list as the number of days remaining until the expiration date of the food ingredient, and an ingredient list management unit that subtracts the date and time to be displayed from the expiration date to update the number of remaining days and display the ingredient list.

[0006] 1 is a system configuration diagram showing the entire food ingredient management system of an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an ingredient list. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displaying a list of ingredients stored in a refrigerator. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an ingredient detail display screen. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a setting screen for the "automatic setting of use-up date" function. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an "automatic setting details" screen for setting whether automatic setting is enabled and the estimated period. FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing the process of registering ingredients stored in a refrigerator in an ingredient management system. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a warning screen that warns that an ingredient has passed its use-up date. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a home screen that displays a message as a recommendation to encourage the use of an ingredient. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a reminder message to encourage the use of an ingredient. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a message recommending the use of a seasonal ingredient (tomato).

[0007] An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing the entire food ingredient management system of the embodiment. The food ingredient management system includes a mobile information terminal 2, such as a smartphone or tablet, which is a food ingredient management device and a computer, and a cloud 3 to which the mobile information terminal 2 is connected and which includes a master database 31 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the master DB), an ingredient list database 32, and a concierge database 33, and manages ingredients in the storage compartment of a refrigerator 4. A plurality of mobile information terminals 2 are connected to the cloud 3.

[0008] The mobile information terminal 2 is an information processing device that includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory) for temporarily storing data, a ROM (Read Only Memory) for recording programs, a memory unit for saving data, a communication unit for connecting to the cloud 3, an input unit for audio information or image information for acquiring registration information of ingredients to be stored in the refrigerator 4, a display unit such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) for displaying the names of ingredients stored in the refrigerator 4, and an input unit for user operations.

[0009] The mobile information terminal 2 realizes the functions of an input unit 21 that acquires registration information such as ingredient names and storage locations and user 1 operation information (audio or image information, and screen tap operation information) by having the CPU execute a program in the ROM or memory unit; an ingredient registration unit 22 that registers ingredient names and storage locations in an ingredient list and registers expiration dates (use-up dates) that correspond to expiration dates of ingredients based on the storage location or ingredient category; an ingredient list management unit 23 that displays the ingredient list and the number of days remaining until each ingredient is used up (remaining days) and manages the ingredient list according to the number of days remaining for each ingredient; and an output unit 24 that outputs the ingredient list to the display unit. The functions of the input unit 21, ingredient registration unit 22, ingredient list management unit 23, and output unit 24 will be described in detail below.

[0010] The master database 31 includes, for each ingredient ID that identifies an ingredient, the name of the ingredient, a storage location in the refrigerator suitable for storing the ingredient, such as a vegetable compartment, refrigerator compartment, freezer compartment, or ice warmer compartment, the category of the ingredient, such as vegetables, meat, or seafood, appearance image data showing the appearance of the ingredient, and icon image data showing the category of the ingredient.

[0011] The ingredient list database 32 is a database of ingredient lists for each refrigerator 4 managed by the ingredient management system, and is composed of an ingredient list for each refrigerator 4. By storing the ingredient list for each refrigerator 4 in the ingredient list database 32 in the cloud 3, ingredients can be managed commonly among users without a fixed link between the refrigerator 4 and the mobile information terminal 2, but the ingredient list may also be stored in a specific mobile information terminal 2.

[0012] The concierge database 33 includes a menu database of cooking menus that can be searched by ingredients.

[0013] In detail, as shown in FIG. 2, the food ingredient list includes, for each food ingredient ID of a food ingredient stored in the storage compartment of the refrigerator 4, the food ingredient name, the registration date indicating the date and time the food ingredient was stored in the refrigerator 4, the expiration date of the stored food ingredient, the storage location of the food ingredient, the food ingredient category, and the number of days remaining until the expiration date of the food ingredient.

[0014] When the food ingredient registration unit 22 of the mobile information terminal 2 acquires food ingredient registration information via the input unit 21, it generates a record of the food ingredient ID corresponding to the food ingredient to be registered, and registers the storage location of the food ingredient, such as the vegetable compartment, refrigerator compartment, freezer compartment, or ice warmer compartment, of the refrigerator, based on the food ingredient name, registration date, and user operation information input via the input unit 21.

[0015] In this case, the registration date is considered to be the date and time when the food material is stored in the storage location, so it is desirable to register the food material immediately after storage or to store the food material in the storage location immediately after registration. Also, the food material registration unit 22 may register the storage location by referring to the master database 31. The food material category is registered by referring to the master database 31.

[0016] Furthermore, the ingredient registration unit 22, which will be described in detail later, registers in the ingredient list the expiration date of an ingredient, calculated by adding a predetermined estimated period from when the ingredient is stored in the refrigerator until it is used up, depending on the storage location or ingredient category specified on the registration date. This specification can be performed in advance by the user.

[0017] When the ingredient management system is started and displays a list of ingredient lists, which will be described later, the ingredient list management unit 23 of the mobile information terminal 2 subtracts the current date and time from the expiration date of the ingredient list to update the number of remaining days for each ingredient, and the ingredient list management unit 23 displays the number of remaining days.

[0018] 3 is an example of a screen displaying a list of ingredients stored in the refrigerator 4. The ingredient list management unit 23 generates display information for each ingredient, including the ingredient name, remaining days (the number of days remaining until the ingredient is used up), ingredient category, and an image of the ingredient's appearance, in accordance with a predetermined display format, and the output unit 24 outputs the display information to the display unit to display the list of ingredients.

[0019] In Figure 3, ingredients are displayed in ascending order of remaining days, but you can switch between list and tile display by tapping the icon to switch between list and tile display formats. Also, by tapping the filter icon, you can change the sorting conditions for the ingredient display (by ingredient name, registration date, expiration date, remaining days, ingredient category, ingredient storage location, etc.) and the display order (ascending / descending). Also, tapping one of the displayed ingredients displays detailed information about that ingredient, as shown in Figure 4.

[0020] 4 shows an example of an ingredient details display screen. The ingredient list management unit 23 obtains the registration date, ingredient name, ingredient category, storage location, use-up date, and registration date for the ingredient shown in the appearance image of the ingredient by referring to the ingredient list described in FIG. 2, and the output unit 24 displays these on the display unit to display the details of the ingredient.

[0021] The display screen of Figure 4 also serves as a screen for inputting and editing information about ingredients. The ingredient list management unit 23 transitions between screens using navigation controls, and tapping any of the ingredient-related items on the display screen transitions to a screen for editing the content of that item. For example, tapping an ingredient category allows categories such as vegetables, mushrooms, and fruits to be selected using a spin button. Returning to the screen of Figure 4 and tapping the save button updates the ingredient list based on the content of each item.

[0022] Clearance food items whose expiration date is approaching need to have their expiration date closer than regular food items. Therefore, after registering the food items, the expiration date of clearance food items can be modified using a calendar display screen or the like on the display screen of Figure 4. Multiple ingredients can also be selected from the list screen of Figure 3 so that they can be modified all at once.

[0023] In addition to editing the ingredient information described above, a check box may be provided for each ingredient displayed on the ingredient list display screen shown in Figure 3, allowing any of the following items related to the selected ingredient to be edited collectively: registration date, ingredient name, ingredient category, storage location, or use-up date.

[0024] In the food ingredient management system of this embodiment, when or after storing food ingredients in the refrigerator 4, the user registers the food ingredients to be managed by voice input, and inputs and edits the registration date, food ingredient name, food ingredient category, storage location, use-up date, and registration date for the food ingredient on the screen shown in Figure 4, and registers the food ingredient in the food ingredient list by tapping the save button, thereby initializing the food ingredient list. The initial setting of the food ingredient list will be described in detail below.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, the ingredient list includes, for each ingredient ID of a stored ingredient, the following items: ingredient name, registration date, use-up date of the ingredient, storage location of the ingredient, ingredient category, and number of days remaining until the use-up date of the ingredient.

[0026] Of these items, the registration date is determined unconditionally, while the ingredient name and ingredient category are determined by referencing the master database 31 based on the ingredient ID of the ingredient identified, for example, by voice input. The remaining number of days is calculated from the use-up date, which is calculated from the estimated period until the ingredient is used up after being stored in the refrigerator. Therefore, it is necessary to set the estimated period until the ingredient is used up after being stored in the refrigerator and the storage location for each ingredient.

[0027] In the food ingredient management system of the embodiment, the estimated period from when the food ingredient is stored in the refrigerator until it is used up is preset according to the storage location or food ingredient category using the settings shown in Figures 5 and 6, and an "automatic use-up date setting" function is provided that calculates the use-up date by adding the estimated period until use-up to the registration date, automating the setting of the use-up date. This makes it easy to initially set up the food ingredient list. As will be described in detail later, setting the storage location is also simplified by reducing the need for repeated input operations.

[0028] Figure 5 is a diagram showing the setting screen for the "Automatic Use-Up Date Setting" function. The screen in Figure 5 shows the status of the "Automatic Use-Up Date Setting" function ("Do Not Set," "Set by Storage Location," "Set by Food Category"), and tapping this area with the navigation control transitions to the "Automatic Setting Details" screen in Figure 6, where the user can set the approximate period of time from when the food is stored in the refrigerator until it is used up. The default setting may be "Do Not Set" (no automatic setting).

[0029] The "Ingredient List Settings" in Figure 5 displays a button to turn on / off the "Use-up Date Notification" function, which notifies you when the expiration date of an ingredient is approaching, and also allows you to view and change the push notification timing settings. It also displays a button to turn on / off the "Notification of Unregistered Ingredients" function.

[0030] As will be explained in more detail in Figure 8, in the food management system of this embodiment, when the food list display screen of Figure 3 is displayed, food items whose use-by date has passed are temporarily stored in a "recently deleted food item list" and a warning screen is displayed. On the screen of Figure 5, the storage time for temporarily storing food items in this recently deleted food item list is displayed as the time for automatic deletion of food items, and the set time can be changed. Specifically, by tapping this area using the navigation control, the screen transitions to a screen for changing the set time.

[0031] The recently deleted ingredient list lists ingredients that have been manually added (moved) to the list by the user for consumption during cooking, etc., and ingredients that have been automatically added (moved) to the list because their use-up date has passed. This list is configured so that the reason for each ingredient's addition to the list can be confirmed. For example, the list can indicate for each ingredient whether it was "added because it was deleted by the user" or "added because its use-up date has passed." Different lists can also be created for each reason.

[0032] 6 shows the "Automatic Setting Details" screen, which allows the user to set whether to enable automatic setting and the estimated period of time until food items are used up after being stored in the refrigerator. The user can enable or disable automatic setting by selecting one of the radio buttons: "Do not set," "Set by storage location," or "Set by food category." In other words, if the "Do not set" radio button is selected, the estimated period of time until food items are used up after being stored in the refrigerator will not be automatically set.

[0033] When the "Set by storage location" radio button is selected, the estimated period from when food is stored in the refrigerator until it is used up is automatically set, and the estimated period for each storage location can be displayed and changed. Specifically, by tapping this area using the navigation control, you will be taken to a screen where you can change the set time. It is desirable that the set time can be changed only when the radio button is selected (it is inactive when the radio button is not selected).

[0034] As shown in Fig. 6, the storage location can be set to each storage compartment of the refrigerator 4 associated with the ingredient list management unit 23. For example, the refrigerator compartment, freezer compartment, vegetable compartment, and chilled compartment. A uniform estimated storage period is set for each storage compartment, and this estimated storage period can be independent of the ingredient name or ingredient category.

[0035] On the screen for changing the set time, options are available for each storage location, such as "no setting," "1 day later," "2 days later," ... "30 days later" (for example, in increments of 1 day). The default setting time may be set to 1 day later so that the user must set it, or the concierge database 33 may be referenced to set a recommended guideline period for each storage location according to the model of refrigerator.

[0036] When the "Set by food category" radio button is selected, the estimated period from when food is stored in the refrigerator until it is used up is automatically set, and the estimated period for each food category can be displayed and changed. Specifically, by tapping this area using the navigation control, you will be taken to a screen where you can change the set time. It is desirable that the set time can be changed only when the radio button is selected (it is inactive when the radio button is not selected).

[0037] On the screen for changing the set time, options for each food category are "no setting," "1 day later," "2 days later," ... "30 days later" (for example, in 1-day increments).

[0038] The settings for whether automatic setting is enabled, the conditions for each storage location and each ingredient category, and the estimated storage period are stored for each refrigerator in the ingredient list database 32. The user may be free to add, delete, or change the storage location and ingredient category. For example, in FIG. 6, only two ingredient categories, "meat" and "seafood / seaweed," are displayed. However, a new "fruit" may be added to these to allow management in three categories, or "meat" may be changed to "prepared dishes." The category names may be freely editable by the user.

[0039] 7 is a flow diagram showing the process of registering ingredients stored in a refrigerator in a food ingredient management system. In step S1, the user inputs the name of an ingredient by voice or text into input unit 21. Alternatively, input unit 21 may recognize image information of the input ingredient and input the ingredient name into input unit 21 instead of inputting the ingredient name by voice or text.

[0040] In step S2, the ingredient registration unit 22 recognizes the ingredient name input by the input unit 21 and obtains the ingredient ID of the ingredient to be registered. In step S3, the ingredient registration unit 22 obtains the ingredient name, ingredient category, and storage location corresponding to the ingredient ID from the master database 31.

[0041] In step S4, the food ingredient registration unit 22 determines whether or not automatic setting of the use-up date is set, and if so (Yes in S4), the process proceeds to step S5, and if not (No in S4), the process proceeds to step S6. The setting of whether or not to automatically set the use-up date and the subsequent settings for each storage location / food ingredient category are assumed to have been set at least once for the refrigerator that manages food ingredients on the food ingredient list setting screen described with reference to FIGS.

[0042] In step S5, the ingredient registration unit 22 determines whether the setting is per storage location or per ingredient category, and if the setting is per storage location (storage location in S5), proceeds to step S7, and if the setting is per ingredient category (ingredient category in S5), proceeds to step S8.

[0043] In step S6, the food ingredient registration unit 22 opens a screen for manually inputting the estimated period of time until the food ingredient is used up after being stored in the refrigerator in accordance with the user operation information detected by the input unit 21, and sets the estimated period until the food ingredient is used up that was input in step S2. Then, the process proceeds to step S9.

[0044] In step S7, the food ingredient registration unit 22 sets the estimated time period until the food ingredients are used up for each food ingredient storage location set on the screen of Fig. 6 as the estimated time period until the food ingredients input in step S2 are used up. Then, the process proceeds to step S9.

[0045] In step S8, the ingredient registration unit 22 sets the estimated time period until the ingredients for each ingredient category are used up, which was set on the screen of Fig. 6, as the estimated time period until the ingredients entered in step S2 are used up. Then, the process proceeds to step S9.

[0046] In step S9, the ingredient registration unit 22 sets the current date and time when the ingredient is being registered as the registration date, and adds the estimated period acquired in step S6, S7, or S8 to this registration date to set the expiration date of the ingredient. The ingredient registration unit 22 also sets the estimated period as the number of days remaining until the expiration date of the ingredient when the ingredient list is displayed.

[0047] In step S10, the ingredient registration unit 22 displays the ingredient name obtained in step S2, the ingredient category and storage location automatically input in step S3, and the registration date, use-up date, and remaining days calculated in step S9 so that the user can confirm them before registering them in the ingredient list. If the user determines that corrections are necessary, the process proceeds to step S11; if not, the process proceeds to step S12, where the user presses the registration button to register the ingredient in the ingredient list in step S13.

[0048] In step S11, the user manually corrects any items that he or she has determined to need correction from the contents input to the ingredient registration unit 22.

[0049] The food management system of the above embodiment can automatically set the estimated use-up period based on the storage location or food category of the food when registering ingredients for which the remaining days until use-up are managed, thereby reducing the complexity of food registration and making it easier to operate. Furthermore, since the food management system of the embodiment automatically sets the estimated use-up period based on the storage location or food category, ingredients purchased (registered) on the same day are set with at most several use-up dates. This makes it easier for users to remember the information, allowing for less burdensome management for the user. Furthermore, management can be performed in a way that evokes memories and makes it easier for users to recall specific ingredients.

[0050] Other functions of the food ingredient management system of the embodiment will be described below. Figure 8 shows a warning screen that warns that some food ingredients have passed their use-up date when the food ingredient management system (food ingredient list management unit 23) displays the food ingredient list screen of Figure 3.

[0051] The ingredient list management unit 23 displays a warning screen, moves ingredients whose remaining days are "0" from the ingredient list to a "recently deleted ingredient list," and automatically deletes ingredients whose use-up date has passed from the ingredient list. The storage period for this "recently deleted ingredient list" is set on the ingredient list setting screen described in FIG. 5.

[0052] For example, the ingredient list management unit 23 may tap "Recently Deleted" on the screen of FIG. 3 to display the "Recently Deleted Ingredient List," and then, in response to a user operation, return ingredients from the "Recently Deleted Ingredient List" to the ingredient list. If this return process is performed, it is considered that the estimated time until the ingredients are used up has been underestimated. Therefore, the set time set on the automatic setting details screen of FIG. 6 may be changed to a value that is one level longer.

[0053] The food ingredient management system of the embodiment displays recommended ingredients such as seasonal ingredients on the home screen, but in addition to this, it may also display a message to encourage the use of ingredients depending on the number of days remaining until the ingredient's expiration date.

[0054] 9 shows a home screen displaying a "Recommended Ingredients for You" message as a recommendation to encourage the use of ingredients up to two or three days before their expiration date. That is, the ingredient list management unit 23 displays a recommendation message on the home screen to encourage the use of ingredients with few days left.

[0055] 10 is a diagram showing a home screen displaying the message "Shouldn't it be time to use up some tomatoes?" as a reminder to use an ingredient (tomatoes) that is due one day before its expiration date. That is, the ingredient list management unit 23 displays a reminder message on the home screen to encourage the use of ingredients that have one day left before their expiration date.

[0056] If there are no ingredients in the ingredient list with only a few days (two or three days or less) remaining until the expiration date, a seasonal ingredient (tomato) as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the home screen as a recommendation message.

[0057] In addition to displaying the recommendation and reminder messages encouraging the use of the above-mentioned ingredients, the concierge database 33 may be referenced to display cooking menus using ingredients with few days remaining until the expiration date of the ingredients.

[0058] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 User 2 Portable information terminal (ingredient management device) 21 Input unit 22 Ingredient registration unit 23 Ingredient list management unit 3 Cloud 31 Master database 32 Ingredient list database 33 Concierge database 4 Refrigerator

Claims

1. A food ingredient management device for food ingredients stored in a refrigerator, comprising: an input unit that acquires user operation information and food ingredient registration information; an ingredient name and ingredient category based on the ingredient registration information; an ingredient storage location based on the user operation information or based on the ingredient category; an ingredient registration unit that calculates an estimated use-up period for the ingredient corresponding to either the storage location or the ingredient category previously designated by the user; an ingredient registration unit that adds the estimated use-up period to a registration date regarded as the date and time the ingredient was stored in the storage location to determine an expiration date; an ingredient name, registration date, use-up period, storage location, and ingredient category are registered in an ingredient list, and the estimated use-up period is registered in the ingredient list as the number of days remaining until the ingredient's expiration date; and an ingredient list management unit that updates the number of days remaining by subtracting the date and time to be displayed from the expiration date, and displays the ingredient list in a list.

2. A food management device as described in claim 1, wherein the food registration unit determines an estimated use-up period for an ingredient that is preset in accordance with the storage location rather than the category, according to the model of the refrigerator, and adds the estimated use-up period to the registration date of the ingredient to determine the expiration date.

3. A food ingredient management device as claimed in claim 1, which is capable of displaying a recently deleted ingredient list in which ingredients deleted from the ingredient list are registered, and which displays the reason why an ingredient displayed in the recently deleted ingredient list was registered in the list.

4. The foodstuff management device according to claim 1, wherein a storage room or foodstuff category that can be specified as the storage location can be added.

5. The foodstuff management device according to claim 1, wherein the estimated use-up period of the foodstuff determined corresponding to the storage location is changeable in response to an operation from the input unit.

6. The food ingredient management device according to claim 1, wherein the food ingredient list management unit deletes from the food ingredient list any food ingredient whose remaining days on the food ingredient list are zero, and displays a warning screen to warn that any food ingredient has passed its use-up date.

7. A food ingredient management device according to claim 1, wherein the food ingredient list management unit displays a recommendation message on the home screen encouraging use of an ingredient with a short number of days remaining, and displays a reminder message on the home screen encouraging use of an ingredient with a number of days remaining that is one day before the expiration date.

8. A food management program for managing food ingredients stored in a refrigerator, causing a computer to function as: an input unit for acquiring user operation information and food ingredient registration information; an ingredient registration unit for determining an ingredient name and ingredient category based on the ingredient registration information, determining a storage location of the ingredient based on the user operation information or the ingredient category, determining an estimated use-up period for the ingredient corresponding to one of the storage location or the ingredient category previously designated by the user, adding the estimated use-up period to the registration date of the ingredient to determine an expiration date, registering the ingredient name, registration date, the use-up period, the storage location and the ingredient category in an ingredient list, and registering the estimated use-up period in the ingredient list as the number of days remaining until the expiration date of the ingredient; and an ingredient list management unit for updating the number of remaining days by subtracting the date and time to be displayed from the expiration date, and displaying the ingredient list in a list.

Images